New Delhi: Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is planning to bypass Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store to allow users to download apps directly from Facebook. The company is considering starting this initiative in the European Union. Users will be able to download apps featured in ads with just a single click.
Meta’s decision comes in response to the upcoming Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European Union, which orders major tech companies to allow alternative app stores on their platforms. Android already provides users with the ability to sideload apps. However, Google complicates the process by enforcing in-app billing and licensing requirements through the Play Store. Despite this, Meta can potentially launch this new project for Android users soon.
Meta Won’t Charge Anything
Meta has invited developers to participate in a pilot program and assured them that their apps will receive more downloads through this platform because users can directly download apps from here without visiting the app store. Currently, Meta will not charge any fees for any app. Developers can handle their app’s billing independently, whereas Google controls billing on its Play Store.
It is worth noting that Meta is not the only company interested in distributing mobile apps after the effective implementation of the Digital Markets Act. Microsoft also aims to provide users with the option to sideload apps. It is speculated that Microsoft might launch an alternative app store for games on iOS and Android in Europe next year.
